Irwin scores twice in Boston debut as B’s win preseason opener

Although it was only the first day of camp, the Bruins had David Pastrnak practicing with David Krejci and Matt Beleskey. We had great goaltending tonight from both goaltenders, and even our “D”, I thought, handled themselves well. After being drafted in the second round in 2011, and leading the Providence Bruins in scoring for the last two seasons, it could be pretty hard to remain patient for your shot at the National Hockey League .

The Bruins will, eventually, have to make some sort of decision on Khokhlachev, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Henrique would glove the puck down, as he was traveling towards Gustavsson.

Alex Khokhlachev has led the Providence Bruins in scoring for the past two years. He is best suited for a top-nine center role, one that is not available in Boston and seemingly will not be for some time. The puck somehow got loose and under the goalie’s pads and crossed over the goal line.

Defenseman Matt Irwin cranked home a pair of power-play goals to power the offense. However, the goal would be called off and the score was kept 0-0. However, he’s yet to be given a real shot, and has been given minimal game-experience with the Bruins.

The post-whistle antics that had been taking place throughout the night finally came to a head early in the third, as Boston’s Ben Sexton and New Jersey’s Paul Thompson were slapped with matching roughing penalties after Sexton wrestled Thompson to the ground behind the Devils’ net.

The Russian-born forward has spent the last two seasons and change with the Baby Bruins down in Providence, and has tallied 100 points in 126 games.

It was not mustering many opportunities, and their five-man attack through the neutral zone was not able to penetrate the disadvantaged-Bruins defense, who seem to just step into their man and disrupt the play.

“He’s been known for that”, Bruins coach Claude Julien said of Irwin. On Offense the Spooner Hayes line was solid as to be expected.

Filip Forsberg’s double helped the Predators to a 5-2 victory in game one at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, but the Panthers hit back later in the day with a 3-2 overtime win.

The Bruins were in disarray in the opening 20 minutes and New Jersey got heavy pressure on Gustavsson right in front of the net.

The Devils face the Rangers Monday night at Madison Square Garden.